The interdict forbids Parliament's portfolio committee on communications from continuing with a closed meeting, which began at 10am today.

The crucial meeting, which should have been open to the public, is discussing a new crisis at the SABC.

About 40 journalists, all members of Parliament's Press Gallery Association, made a peaceful attempt to enter the committee room earlier this morning but were manhandled by Parliament's security officers. The journalists then held a sit-in on the floor outside the meeting.

When the journalists heard that the High Court had granted SANEF's interdict, they erupted in cheers.

Press Gallery Association chairperson Caiphus Kgosana, who works for Sowetan's sister paper Sunday Times, then tried to lead the way into the committee room but was barred by another contingent of police who had been called by parliament.

Parliament's lawyer then arrived with a copy of the interdict.

The committee asked the SABC board to leave the room while they took legal advice on what to do next.

An angry parliamentary spokesperson, Luzuko Jacobs, asked journalists "why are you doing this to us? Move back and open the way here". But by 1pm, journalists were still holding their sit-in outside the door of the committee meeting venue.

Sapa reports that lawyers for Sanef and Parliament will now discuss a date for a hearing at which the matter can be fully argued.

In papers filed for the application, Sanef secretary general Gaye Davis said there was a clear public interest in the meeting.

"The SABC is resourced with public funds, and the public has a clear interest in its functioning and a right to information concerning the affairs of the SABC," she said. "As a corollary, the media has a right and indeed an obligation to report on the functioning and affairs of the SABC."

"I submit that a dangerous a precedent will be set if this meeting is held behind closed doors as it could become a frequent resort by chairpersons of committees confronted with difficult issues that are potentially embarrassing for persons occupying public office," she said.

Acting Judge Sven Olivier ordered that the committee not proceed with any sitting from which the public, including the media, were excluded, at which it would receive presentations from the SABC board on the turnaround strategy, the filling of the post of group executive, and on the functioning of the board.

This court order is valid until "the final determination of this matter".

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Sun May 26 08:27:55 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 24, 2010

PIPYAKOR

what ??????
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Aug 24, 2010

JOM

i am sick and tired of the media and their egos. they always think that they are above anyone else. they misinterpret, exagerate and misinform the public all the time. there is a good reason why they were not allowed in because they misinform the public to make money. i wouldn't care less whether SABC is being funded by the public's money or not cos in any way i am benefiting nothing from them so i wouldn't care less about what happens to them or not. Jounos please bag off from persuing your own agendas and interests in the name of the public.
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Aug 24, 2010

Gzza

Jom, that is precisely why we need full disclosure because what happens with our hard earned money concerns us...dont be naive, for sure not all you read in the papers is accurate, that is where your brain must start working...be involved more in society and maybe you wont be such an advocate for thsi useless govt and its departments
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Aug 24, 2010

Decolonised

No wonder the would want to have their own private meetings with this government propaganda machine! Even during the Apartheid years SABC has always been the voice of the government of the day; his master's voice. Nothing has changed, same old dog obeying a new master! I have long stopped watching SABC news....I refuse to be brainswashed!
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Aug 24, 2010

Louis

Good! The corrupt are all going to jail soon.
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Aug 24, 2010

Meta4

the question is when is soon?
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Aug 24, 2010

PIPYAKOR

@Meta4

soon is soon

keep that in mind
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Aug 24, 2010

Mahikeng

@Gzza - Well said, I couldn't agree with u more.

Sorry JOM I go with Gzza on this one, I know it's women's month but even that can't make u win this one. Tough luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Aug 24, 2010

Mahikeng

@Gzza - Well said, I couldn't agree with u more.

Sorry JOM I go with Gzza on this one, I know it's women's month but even that can't make u win this one. Tough luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Aug 24, 2010

MAMIKI

i think we de public deserve 2 know what happens @ de sabc since we pay 4 everything in de . u dont hide anything unless theres something 2 hide now im looking forward 2 their meeting .
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